Joys & Concerns

The Negro Problem

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 25, 1999)
• Original Release Date: May 25, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Aerial Flipout
• ASIN: B00000IQZ8
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #174,590 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
1999 and second album by this L.A. pop band who have been recieving great press for this release filled with inventive arrangements, passionate vocals, great songs and a twisted musical vision. Spin magazine gave this album an eight out of 10! 12 tracks. Digipak.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb sophomore effort from la's finest pop band, June 15, 1999

By	[e-mail] (florida) - See all my reviews

Fans of L.A. popsters, The Negro Problem needn't worry... their sophomore followup, Joys and Concerns matches the originality of their superb debut, Post-Minstrel Syndrome song-for-song. Despite the exodus of accordianist Jill, chief songwriter Stew veers the Negro's sound toward a fuller '60s pop production (Think 5th Dimension, Jimmy Webb, Grassroots, Emmitt Rhodes) but avoiding the retro gimmickry that seems to signal too many bad pop bands nowadays. Lyrics are intelligent and cryptic, and drummer Pagano has never sounded better. Look for 4 bonus cuts not credited on CD sleeve that are exceptional. Absolutely one of 1999's finest works. Miss at your peril.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff, May 4, 2002

By	"semtexx" (Walnut, CA) - See all my reviews

This was the first Negro Problem album I ever listened to, and I was definetly impressed. This fusion of alterna/power/lounge pop definetly makes ths album solid. As a bonus, Probyn Gregory, of Wondermints fame, is responsible for the album's smooth horn arrangement. Lisa Jenio (Candypants) also has a guest apearance. Really one to own.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even Better, December 5, 1999

By A Customer

I was almost cetain that this followup to Post Minstrel Syndrome would be a letdown, having loved that collection's updating of 60's pop. But Stew has proven again that those great songforms can still be transformed in new and valid ways, given musicians who believe in the magic.Bleed is an almost perfect ballad and in a better world, Ken would haunt the MTV playlists as an antidote to Ricky Martin. If the Turtles hadn't devolved into self parody they might have gotten this good(if they'd found Stew).